The story details all the wearying and idiotic mean-spiritedness we've come to expect from the right in Texas. The Chronicle also reported that not a single Democratic member of the Texas legislature showed up to support the Muslim guests who were speaking about being American, and who at one point were singing the national anthem.

The Chronicle reports that a small number of Democratic members sent staffers to the rally.

That is in a way more insulting than ignoring the event in full. It is like saying that I support you, but I don't want to be seen with you.

I just assume at this point that conservatives in Texas will be mean as hell. Kindness from these folks would be the real news.

But when is our own side of the aisle going to act with any true conviction? Political courage and loyalty to best ideals of Texas and America from Texas Democrats would be the biggest news of all.

Four everyday goals for a 47 year old---Communicate ideas & values as best able. * Walk around & drive around & look around and see stuff. * Be creative. * Maintain longterm relationships.Please read all of NeilAquino.com

Here is where you wait for the parking shuttle after your flight arrives at one of the terminals at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. I was at this place a few days ago and I took this picture.

I like structure and I like structures. Structure forms the basis for movement. You can't move without guideposts and markers. There would be no place to go if there was nothing. There is plenty of room for movement within the structure of things.

There is a police car in the center right of the picture. Even given the ongoing and recent police abuses of citizens in the nation, structure requires rules.

There are many barriers and inhibitions to thought and movement. Structures can-of course-be confining, our own viewpoints can be restricted and unimaginative, we may be blocked by an overzealous and misguided application of rules and laws or by mean and grumpy people.

However and despite all that, I'm glad for structure and for the free thought and movement allowed by the fact that there is something rather than nothing. Every day is a good day to see the simplicity and the complexity that is all around.

There are many good people. Kind things happen all the time. But in the end, the only way you can be certain decent values will be part of the discussion in any setting is that you yourself speak up and advocate for such values. Also, though circumstance and luck count for more than to the extent we are in control of life, it is up to you to create and maintain a good and hopeful personal identity and personal sense of yourself for others to see.Please read all of NeilAquino.com

72% of Texans did not vote in 2014 while about 16% of Texans voted Republican and 12% voted Democratic.

It is not difficult to imagine that the Republican voters motivated to vote were among the most angry and bigoted people in the state.

So the session it is going to really horrible and most people won't care. Also--The rich call the shots so long as the people can have guns and big trucks.The 2015 Texas legislative session regretfully opens on January 13. Please read all of NeilAquino.com

My favorite scene in the original Bad News Bears from 1976 is when the liberal LA councilmember who commissioned the little league team tells Coach Buttermaker to disband the team of misfits and minority kids because he is embarrassed by how bad the team is playing. The movie makes sure you can see the photos of MLK, RFK & JFK in the councilman's office. They got it just right.Et Tu are some of the most famous words ever written because so often the knife comes from our own side of the aisle. Liberals have time and time again over the years let down every day working class people because they have not want to be identified with them, and because culturally liberals are sometimes far removed from the everyday lives of the people they assert they most want to serve.

We've got to dig down deep and see the value of every person and value of every day.